Thanks to our dear friend, Leslie Knope, women now gather on February 13th to celebrate Galentine’s Day. It’s a nonofficial—but like, totally official in our minds—holiday for “ladies celebrating ladies”. Not that you need an excuse to get together with your girls to celebrate your love for each other

From chilling in your pajamas, to getting crafty with some DIY projects, we’ve have the perfect suggestions for your squad this Galentine’s Day.

1. Do brunch in your pajamas

Doing brunch with your gal pals is a Galentine’s Day staple, but instead of standing in line at a trendy brunch spot, stay at home in your pajamas and feast on your favourite foods. Why not try making heart-shaped pancakes—or have a cereal bar stocked with all of your favourite flavours? The possibilities are endless—and comfy!

2. Get a mani

Getting a manicure on any day can be fun, but it’s much better with your best friends. Go for the latest winter shade or opt to go twinsies with a heart accent nail. If heading to the salon isn’t in your budget, staying at home with wine while doing each other’s nails is also the perfect way to catch up and get pampered.

3. Host a sweet potluck

Every girl has a sweet tooth, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in all of your favourite treats. Host a potluck and have everyone bring something sugary and sweet, like this pink hibiscus coconut cake. Wash it down with a glass (or two) of Grigio.

4. RomCom movie night

If you’re a sucker for a good romantic comedy that makes you ugly cry and stuff your face with popcorn, call your girls up and host a movie night so you can experience all the feels together. Everyone gets to choose a movie they want to watch. Whether you’re laughing extra hard or crying, bring extra tissues—you’ll need them!

5. Have a group call

Not every best friend lives close by, which can often make it difficult to get together. Whether your bestie is living her dream in a faraway city or you’re the one who is away from home, bring everyone together and catch up on Skype or Facetime. It’ll be nice to see their faces and hear their voices instead of your standard group text.

6. DIY spa night

Every girl deserves a day of pampering, but hitting the spa can get a little pricey. Have your girl gang come over for a DIY spa night where you make homemade bath bombs, body scrub and other beauty products. These DIY lavender rose bath bombs are a perfect place to start and will leave you feeling like a goddess.

7. DIY flower bouquets

Who said you need a valentine to buy you flowers? Gather your besties and make bouquets for yourselves! Instead of spending a lot of money at a florist or on traditional flowers like roses, opt for blooms that are on sale at the supermarket and choose different colours to make it truly your own. Once you're done, store them in this DIY vase.

Samantha is an Ottawa-based writer who runs a crafty side hustle creating jewellery for her nature-inspired brand. When she's not killing the craft show game, she indulges in good food frequently, enjoys cuddling with her pug, and is a sucker for a good Netflix binge. Learn more about Samantha @samanthadolly on Instagram.